Recruiting for Student Positions
University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Office of Sustainability: Bonnie Reiss Leading on Climate (BRLOC)Fellowship
The UCSF BRLOC Fellow Positions:
The BRLOC fellowship program engages and energizes students in support of UC’s climate action and sustainable food goals. The Fellowships will contribute to UCSF’s efforts in priority project areas this year including green labs planning, evaluations in support of lab building decarbonization, clinical related sustainability measures, and community engagement. BRLOC Program is a UC systemwide program, funded by the UC Office of the President. The program, which began in spring 2015, is open to students, and administered at each location to ensure that student efforts align with local needs. See job responsibilities and application information below.
About UCSF and the Office of Sustainability:
The Office of Sustainability has responsibility for stewardship of the UCSF operational and administrative environment to ensure a healthier and more sustainable community locally and worldwide. The Office work enables zero-carbon operations with a focus on clean energy; water conservation; land stewardship and greening the built environs; efficient transportation; smart resource use and waste reduction; sustainable procurement, green health practices; and inspiring inclusive institutional change. Efforts are guided by the UC Sustainable Practices Policy and related UCSF policy and emerging priorities. The UC Sustainable Practices Policy applies to the 10 UC campuses, five academic health centers, and other university facilities in thirteen areas of sustainable practice UCSF is the only UC campus devoted exclusively to health sciences, with professional degree programs in dentistry, medicine, nursing, and pharmacy, as well as interdisciplinary graduate programs and numerous postdoctoral programs. UCSF includes over 11 million square feet of space, including buildings for hospitals, clinics, research, education, and administration, located at multiple urban sites throughout San Francisco, Oakland, and Fresno. It has a population of over 35,000 faculty, staff, and learners. UCSF embraces diverse clientele, faculty, staff, students, researchers, practitioners, and professional support services. The University believes a workforce of differing backgrounds, professional and life experiences, and perspectives offers superior innovative, critically analyzed, and complete solutions to our unique Business challenges. See UCSF’s PRIDE values .
Bonnie Reiss Leading on Climate (BRLOC)Fellowship Positions:
The UCSF Office of Sustainability is recruiting up to four fellows to support campus and health system sustainability initiatives. Fellows will work alongside Office of Sustainability staff, faculty, and campus partners on projects that advance UCSF's climate goals while gaining hands-on experience in sustainability implementation, stakeholder engagement, research, and program development. *Applicants must be an enrolled UC student and should indicate which fellowship(s) they are interested in applying for.
Available Fellowships
Job Summary/Job Responsibilities:
Campus Lab/Research Facility Decarbonization and Engagement Fellow
Focus: Green Labs, laboratory sustainability, stakeholder engagement, and behavior change The UCSF Campus Climate Action Decarbonization and Engagement Fellow will support UCSF's efforts to reduce carbon emissions and resource use across research and campus facilities while advancing a culture of sustainability. Working closely with the Sustainability Coordinator, the fellow will evaluate best practices across institutions and interact with researchers, lab managers, faculty, staff, students, and campus partners, to help develop the UCSF Green Labs Action Guide. The fellow may perform specialized analysis in support of laboratory energy efficiency and electrification measures and equipment programs. The fellow will promote sustainable practices through the green labs assessment and engaging labs in the certification program. The fellow will also engage the broader UCSF community in priority initiatives through outreach, education, communications, and behavior change initiatives. *Up to two fellowships available to cover responsibilities.
Health Climate Action and Engagement Fellow
Focus: Healthcare sustainability, decarbonization, sustainable food, waste reduction, and engagement The UCSF Health Climate Action and Engagement Fellow will support sustainability initiatives across UCSF Health that advance climate action, environmental stewardship, and sustainable healthcare practices. Working closely with the Sustainability Coordinator and clinical and operational partners, the Fellow will support projects related to healthcare decarbonization, sustainable food systems, waste reduction, climate education, and staff engagement. The Fellow may assist with sustainability assessments, data collection and benchmarking, educational campaigns, and implementation of programs that reduce the environmental impact of healthcare operations. The Fellow will also help engage the UCSF Health community through outreach, events, communications, and behavior change initiatives that foster a culture of sustainability across clinical and healthcare settings. Previous BRLOC Fellow Projects - Rethinking Waste in the Birth Center – Small Changes, Big Impact - Environmental Implications of Operating Room Attire Guideline Variability *Up to two fellowships available to cover responsibilities.
Sustainable Agriculture and Food Fellow
Focus: Sustainable food systems, sustainable procurement, healthy food environments, waste reduction, and community engagement The UCSF Food and Agriculture Fellow will support initiatives that advance sustainable food systems and reduce the environmental impact of food services across UCSF. Working closely with the Sustainability Coordinator and campus partners, the Fellow will support projects related to sustainable food procurement, plant-forward dining, food waste reduction, and campus and health engagement. Projects may include conducting waste assessments at UCSF hospitals to evaluate food waste and waste stream sorting, analyzing findings, and developing recommendations to improve diversion and reduce waste. The Fellow may also assist with sustainability reporting, educational campaigns, and outreach that promote sustainable food practices across campus and UCSF Health. Possible Project Example Areas:
• Food Waste and Waste Stream Assessment in UCSF Hospitals
• Reducing Food Waste and Single-Use Plastics in Dining Operations
• Plant-Forward Food Promotion and Campus Engagement
• Sustainable Food Systems Education and Outreach *Up to two fellowships available to cover responsibilities.
Job Details & Requirements:
• Must be a currently enrolled UC student.
• Number of Openings: up to four undergraduate students
● Hours/Week : 5-10 hours/week from October 2026 to May/June 2027; some positions possibility of extension to mid-August.
● Work Location: UCSF, Mission Bay. Hybrid work (remote may be considered)
• Pay Rate: $19.61/Hr o Fellows may work 5–10 hours per week , not to exceed approximately 254 total hours over the fellowship period. Final compensation will reflect the scope of work completed and is subject to review by the sponsoring department. o Fellows must disclose any current or anticipated on-campus or off-campus employment, work-study positions, internships, assistantships, or other paid appointments. Fellowship hours may be adjusted to ensure compliance with UCSF student employment policies and maximum allowable work-hour limits.
• Reports to: Elizabeth Lin, Sustainability Coordinator | Office of Sustainability and supported by other staff mentors.
• Fellowship sponsored: Kira Stoll, Chief Sustainability Officer & Executive Director | Office of Sustainability Submit one of the following final required UCOP CA Fellows deliverables products: o A project poster o A 500-word article suitable for publication on the UCSF Sustainability website
Job Qualifications:
● Excellent skills in detail-oriented organization, punctual time management, facilitation, and verbal, written, and interpersonal communication
● Strong written and verbal skills
● Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, taking initiative, proposing innovative ideas, meeting deadlines, and collaborating well with other people and organizations
● A strong interest in climate action, environmental justice, sustainability, resiliency, and environmental issues
● Open to public speaking and facilitating meetings
● Responsive and timely in communication
● Demonstrate interest in advancing UCSF sustainability efforts and supporting cross-campus collaboration with planning and sustainability stakeholders.
● Willingness to learn new skills
● Academic or professional experience in sustainability, environmental studies, engineering, public health, health sciences, computer science, data science, communications, planning, or related fields is preferred but not required.
How to Apply
Submit a resume and cover letter to sustainability@ucsf.edu **For priority consideration, please apply by September 28, 2026. Applications will be reviewed beginning September 28 and accepted until the positions are filled. Please include the following in your submission: o Full name, email, phone number, academic program, and year o Availability for a Zoom interview (Note: not all applicants will be interviewed) o A short statement explaining your interest in the fellowship o A brief summary of your qualifications, including relevant experience or coursework o A description of your current time commitments (e.g., coursework, internships, on/off-campus work, extracurriculars) o If you are employed on campus, indicate your current position, percent time, and department. Please confirm that your department supports you taking on this additional role and that your total on-campus employment will not exceed 20 hours/week, as required for student eligibility
Learn More About UCSF Sustainability
Applicants are encouraged to explore UCSF sustainability initiatives to better understand the fellowship program and current projects.
• UCSF Office of Sustainability
• Green Labs Program
• Green Certification Program
• Waste to Art Program
• UC Sustainable Practices Policy
